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AP-NY-12-02-02 1413EST
Copyright 2002 The
Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be
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name, address and phone number.
The Pentagon says the information will help it recruit young people to defend
their country. But the new law disturbs parents and administrators in some
liberal communities that aren't exactly gung-ho about the armed forces.
Some say the law violates students' privacy and creates a moral dilemma over
the military's ''don't ask, don't tell'' policy on gays.
''I find it appalling that the school is sending out letters to do the job of
the military,'' said Amy Lang, the parent of a student at Cambridge Rindge and
The No Child Left Behind law, signed last January, pumps billions into
education but also gives military recruiters access to the names, addresses and
phone numbers of students in 22,000 schools. The law also says that schools
must give the military the same access to their campuses that businesses and
college recruiters enjoy.
School systems that fail to comply could lose federal money. The measure also
applies to private schools receiving federal funding. But Quaker schools and
others that have a religious objection to military service can get out of the
requirement.
Students and parents who oppose the law can keep their information from being
turned over to the military, but they must sign and return an ''opt-out'' form.
The
So far, 95 percent of the nation's schools are in compliance, said Pentagon
spokeswoman Maj. Sandra Troeber. She would not identify the other schools. But
Education Department spokesman Dan Langan said that the current focus is on
cooperation and that no schools have been sanctioned.
Federal law already requires men to register with the Selective Service within
30 days of turning 18. The new law, however, enables the Pentagon to reach
potential recruits when they are 15 or 16.
In
''Parents are in the dark,'' Alterman said. ''It freaked me out. I didn't sign
up to support the military effort.''
Alterman said after he opted out, his son received another letter, this one
promoting scholarships. ''It was very seductive. They didn't say anything about
risk to personal safety,'' Alterman said.
Among those objecting to the new requirements is the
In a letter last month, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Education
Secretary Rod Paige reminded high school administrators of their duty, and
cited ''the excellent educational opportunities the military affords, as well
as an environment that encourages the development of strong character and
leadership skills.''
The Pentagon said better access to students could also hold down the rising
costs of recruitment. Over the past decade, the cost per recruit has nearly
doubled from $6,500 to $11,600.
Before the law, military recruiters could meet with students in
''It's a vast departure from the way we've done business,'' said Donna Harlan,
an associate superintendent in the
The law also spelled the end of a 6-year ban on military recruiting on campus
in
In
Middleton, 18, said she plans to enlist after she graduates, and the prospect
of war has not scared her off. ''Sometimes you've got to make sacrifices,'' she
said.
Sometimes, however, recruiters battle hostility.
''One teacher said we were trying to brainwash kids. All we were doing was
handing out pencils,'' Perrin said. ''We're not trying to invade anybody's
privacy. We're just trying to protect their freedoms.''
AP-NY-12-02-02 1413EST
Copyright 2002 The Associated Press. The
information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast,
rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The
Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.